Our audience, it has been a more difficult process for classical music audiences around the world, and I'm not completely certain why.

I started conducting lessons and I realized that this is actually something I like doing.

There is more openness in LA to possibilities than on the East Coast of America. There is a pioneering spirit there that stems from the reason people went out there in the first place-to find something new.

I'm trying to conduct only five months a year, and the rest will be composing time. I'm trying to spend as much as I can out of those months here in L.A., because for creative work, this is a fantastic place.

My music wouldn't sound the way it does if I hadn't had the experience of conducting.

I'm composing more than before. I'm cutting down on conducting.

The philharmonic became such a journey and adventure in my life, and a deeply satisfying thing.